VFX and the democratisation of filmmaking
Gone are the days of the Hollywood monopoly. With advancements in both hardware and software, filmmakers of all levels and experience are now knowingly (or unknowingly) equipped with a wealth of resources to create content. This has recently been coined as the democratisation of filmmaking, and we couldn’t be in more support of it. In fact, we’re even in the process of producing our own independent short film, Reno, but more on that later.
Our Creative and VFX Directors Rob Hifle and Paul Silcox sit down to discuss how VFX plays a pivotal role in the democratisation of filmmaking. From efficiencies to accessing VFX talent, visual effects can and do support a more democratised approach to the production of content.
How can independent filmmakers and small productions utilise VFX talent?
Rob Hifle: “First and foremost, indie and lower budget filmmakers should never shy away from approaching a VFX studio for support. We’re an independent studio at Lux Aeterna, so we understand the challenges filmmakers face when seeking the best talent. Independence doesn’t connote a lack of expertise. In fact, it’s often the opposite and with independent studios, you find greater subject specialisms and more all-round expertise, due to teams being more hands-on across the pipeline. This is an added bonus for smaller-scale productions who require more holistic support.”
Paul Silcox: “I agree with Rob. You can certainly recruit the support of VFX artists in a freelance capacity, as well as sourcing talent through universities, social media groups and initiatives like ACCESS VFX but don’t feel intimidated by starting a conversation with a studio. The only difference between the majority of studios large and small is the headcount. When it comes to skillset and access to tools such as Nuke, Houdini, After Effects and Maya, we’re all in the same boat of resource and expertise.”
VFX can deliver greater efficiencies
Paul Silcox: “The use of visual effects can definitely be safer, more efficient and cost effective, and we are able to reproduce effects that might be very difficult to achieve in reality, for instance, the cost of an SFX team to create the pyro/smoke effects needed for a Hollywood blockbuster is far more than the digital alternative, and destroying sets and props can be an expensive and time consuming process. Digital prosthetics can mean that the team on location is not getting up at 4am to start the day's filming, this can be a huge advantage when on location shoots. We always look to propose the right solution to each problem so it’s not that VFX is the right way to go every time but it is a powerful and cost effective way to deliver quality storytelling in most situations.”
Rob Hifle: “Likewise, having a good VFX Supervisor on set can save a huge amount of money in post-production. The support of an experienced VFX lead can aid with navigating all of the unavoidable uncertainties that arise during a shoot, such as lighting and weather changes. The impact that this can have on smaller productions is distinguishable and offers the ability for filmmakers to upscale the visual narrative of their production to the same level as their silver screen peers.”
AI in filmmaking
Rob Hifle: “AI will soon revolutionise some of the processes in the VFX industry. It will take on many forms from eradicating some of the more arduous tasks to inspiring artists with their creative decisions. Once AI is licensed and commodified it will soon be a ubiquitous tool to empower artists across the spectrum of VFX disciplines.
A lot of these tools will eventually be open source making it possible for smaller studios to implement higher end VFX. Let’s not get beyond ourselves here, VFX pipelines are expensive to run with regard to investment, maintenance as well as production skills and artistic talent.
So all aspects of the pipeline, from storyboarding, previs, 3D, through to final comp, are crucial to implement at the earliest stages of production in order to determine what is appropriate and necessary for the story, especially when working on more challenging budgets.”
Reno: an example of the possibilities
Rob Hifle: “Lux Aeterna is part of a UKRI Gov’t initiative called MyWorld which is a creative technology programme over five years. This has allowed Lux Aeterna, with the help of NVIDIA, to R&D AI toolsets within a VFX pipeline. Reno (working title) is definitely the lovechild of Lux Aeterna! It’s a post cyberpunk short film that explores themes of belief, agency and humanity’s relationship with intelligent machines. It’s still in its early conception stage but we intend to create something that has great narrative and cinematic wonder. It’s going to be a real team effort which will hopefully show what is possible with the pure use of visual effects in filmmaking. We hope it provides inspiration to independent filmmakers exploring the application of visual effects in their own productions, and we’re always looking to build relationships with such individuals to develop their visual narrative further.”
Keen to understand how VFX can expand the potential of your independent production? Check out our services or contact us.